Former ambassador to Turkmenistan, Mohammed Afzal, on Sunday said that the singing of Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement would strengthen the relations between Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) and the apprehensions of security threat to the pipeline is insignificant as interests of four countries are involved in getting the gas.
Mr Afzal was India’s ambassador to Turkmenistan from September 2007 to October 31, 2010.
“Today, whatever the conditions in the three countries have... but it will not remain the same. The bilateral agreement will certainly improve relations between Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, “ he said here on Sunday.
While Turkmesistan will get a good buyer, Afghanistan to get a huge amount of transit fee as well as 14 MSCMD gas. And Pakistan and India too will get 38 MMSCMD gas each.
Asked about the security risk in the pipeline, Mr Afzal said it cannot be bigger than the gas for all four nations. To a further question whether it was the US-backed project he said not at all. He also said he was happy for playing a little role in expediting the project during his tenure as the ambassador.
But the major role was played by the petroleum and natural gas minister Murli Deora. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee took keen interest in this project, he said.
The total pipeline length is 1680 kms and it may increase. Its route is Gunorta Yoloten—Osman, Guspi (Turkmenistan), Herat,Lakshkar Gah, Kandahar (Afghanistan), Quetta, G.G. Khan, Multan, Pakpatan (Pakistan) and Fazilka (India).
Turkmenistan — Afghanistan — Pakistan pipeline project was originally conceived in the 1990s. Framework Agreement signed by the Heads of these nations in August 2002. Indian government formally requested ADB on June 6, 2006 for joining the project. And 10th steering committee meeting was held in Islamabad where India was formally admitted as member and the project was named TAPI.